Papa Roach Unleash “BRAINDEAD” Featuring Toby Morse – A Punk-Rock Riot for the Ages

August 3, 2025 rocknews

Papa Roach have never been ones to whisper. They scream, they shred, they stomp through the noise—and with their new single “BRAINDEAD”, they’re kicking down the door of complacency and dragging punk legend Toby Morse (H2O) into the fray. This isn’t just a track. It’s a riot in three minutes and forty seconds.

Released as part of their upcoming twelfth studio album, “BRAINDEAD” is a sonic Molotov cocktail: part nu-metal, part hardcore punk, and all attitude. Jacoby Shaddix sounds like he’s clawing his way out of a padded cell—and in the video, he literally is.

Inside the “BRAINDEAD” Video: Institutional Mayhem Meets Musical Catharsis

It’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest meets Fight Club, with a soundtrack that could shatter concrete.

Directed by Jesse Davey and Ed Shiers, the “BRAINDEAD” video is a cinematic gut-punch. Shaddix is institutionalized, stripped, soaked, and strapped down by faceless guards in a grim, dystopian asylum dubbed The Last Resort—a nod to the band’s breakout hit. The visuals are brutal, claustrophobic, and dripping with rebellion. It’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest meets Fight Club, with a soundtrack that could shatter concrete.

Toby Morse makes his acting debut in the video, appearing as a fellow inmate and co-conspirator in the chaos. “My first acting debut, lol,” Morse wrote on Instagram. “So honored to be part of it!”

The band thrashes through the track in a padded cell, their energy barely contained. It’s a visceral metaphor for the song’s message: wake up, break out, and fight back before it’s too late.

What did you make of the video? Drop your wildest theory or favorite moment in the comments—was that a nod to Infest, or are we reading too deep?

Papa Roach in 2025: Still Swingin’ After 25 Years

Celebrating their 25th year as a band, Papa Roach are riding a wave of momentum that most acts would kill for. Fresh off a sold-out UK tour—including their first-ever headline show at Wembley Arena—they’ve graced the covers of Kerrang! and Metal Hammer, and they’re not slowing down.

Their RISE OF THE ROACH world tour is tearing through Europe this summer, with festival stops at Wacken Open Air, Sziget, Frequency, and Pukkelpop. And come autumn, they’ll join forces with Rise Against and Underoath for a massive North American run celebrating the 25th anniversary of Infest.

But it’s not just nostalgia fueling their fire. The band is deep into production on their next album, with “BRAINDEAD” leading the charge. If this track is any indication, the record will be a raw, unfiltered scream into the void—and fans are ready to echo it back.

Seen them live recently? Share your gig pics and setlist highlights.

Jacoby Shaddix: Still the Voice of the Voiceless

Shaddix remains one of rock’s most compelling frontmen. His vocals on “BRAINDEAD” are unhinged, urgent, and deeply personal. “We wanted to create something that felt honest and in-your-face,” he said. “Bringing Toby in took it to the next level. This song is a call to wake up before it’s too late”.

Morse echoed the sentiment: “I’ve known Jacoby for over 20 years. Very proud of him with his sobriety. Their passion and hard work is why they’re still here and relevant today”.

Papa Roach have always thrived on transformation—evolving from rap-rock rebels to alt-metal veterans to punk-infused agitators. “BRAINDEAD” is the latest mutation, and it’s glorious.

What era of Papa Roach do you rep hardest—Infest, Getting Away With Murder, or the new punk-tinged sound? Let’s settle this in the comments.

Top 5 Papa Roach Tracks to Stream Next

If “BRAINDEAD” left you hungry for more, here’s your essential listening guide. These tracks showcase the band’s evolution, intensity, and emotional depth:

Last Resort – The anthem that launched a thousand mosh pits. Still iconic, still cathartic.
Scars – Vulnerability meets melody in one of their most emotionally resonant tracks.
Getting Away With Murder – A dark, brooding banger with razor-sharp lyrics and a killer hook.
Between Angels and Insects – Rage against consumerism, wrapped in rap-rock fury.
Born for Greatness – Stadium-sized ambition with a chorus that could raise the dead.

Got a sleeper pick we missed? Comment and let’s build the ultimate Papa Roach playlist together.

Papa Roach Refuse to Flatline

In an era where many legacy acts coast on past glories, Papa Roach are doubling down. “BRAINDEAD” isn’t just a new single—it’s a manifesto. It’s proof that after 25 years, they’re still evolving, still provoking, and still refusing to play it safe.

Whether you’re a diehard fan or a curious newcomer, this is the moment to tune in. Because Papa Roach aren’t just alive—they’re on fire.

What’s your verdict on “BRAINDEAD”? Punk masterpiece or chaotic overload? Sound off below—we’re reading every word.